Cover for protecting shoe

ABSTRACT

A cover for protecting a shoe includes semi-dome shaped cover portion configured such that internal space is formed and the rear end portion thereof is open; a first separation-prevention portion configured such that the sole of the shoe is fitted thereon; first flexible portions connected to the first separation-prevention portion; a bottom portion for connecting the first separation-prevention portion and the first flexible portions; a connection portion connected to the first flexible portions; second flexible portions connected to the rear end of the connection portion; a heel-holding portion connected to both sides of the second flexible portions; a second separation-prevention portion for surrounding the heel of the shoe; grip portions; and third separation-prevention portions configured such that first ends thereof are connected to the second separation prevention portion and second ends are connected to the open upper end portion of the cover portion.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cover for protecting a shoe, and more particularly to a cover for protecting a shoe, which is worn on the front portion of a shoe, such as a baseball shoe, a golf shoe or the like, in order to prevent the front portion of the shoe from being damaged and to prevent a slip during exercise.

2. Description of Related Art

Each sport, such as baseball or golf, usually requires the use of shoes dedicated to the corresponding sport. Furthermore, baseball shoes and golf shoes are expensive, suffer from the problem that the front portions of the shoes are easily damaged while the front portions of the shoes are sliding along a ground surface because the front portions of the shoes are dragged along the ground surface due to the posture characteristics of a corresponding sport, and may cause a result that is not desired by a player because the front portions of the shoes slide along the ground surface and thus the final posture of the player is lost.

As an invention for preventing the front portion of a shoe from being damaged, Japanese Unexamined Application Publication No. Sho 64-83202 (published on Mar. 29, 1989) discloses a cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the published invention. As shown, in FIG. 9, a cover body 1 configured to be worn on the front portion of a shoe includes: a plurality of fastening holes 2 formed along a fastening extension portion 3 in the longitudinal direction thereof; a toe cover portion 4 connected to the lower side of the fastening extension portion 3; a hot melt adhesive portion 8 internally formed in the form of a stripe; and release paper 9 configured to protect the hot melt adhesive portion 8 before its use. The cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe is worn on a baseball shoe by attaching the toe cover portion 4 onto the surface of the baseball shoe using the hot melt adhesive portion 8 while wearing the toe cover portion 4 on the toe of a baseball shoe in the state in which the release paper 9 has been removed and a shoestring has been removed from a baseball shoe, and then fastening the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe to the baseball shoe using the shoestring in the state in which the fastening holes 2 of the fastening extension portion 3 have been aligned with the shoestring fastening holes of the baseball shoe.

According to the published invention, since the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe is attached onto the toe of the baseball shoe and the sides of the sole of the baseball shoe using a hot melt adhesive, problems arise in that it is not easy to attach the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe onto the baseball shoe, in that the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball cannot be separated from the baseball shoe even when the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball shoe is damaged, and in that the attached portion of the baseball shoe may be damaged even when the cover for protecting the toe of a baseball can be separated from the baseball shoe.

Therefore, there is a need for a cover for protecting a shoe, which can be applied to various types of sports shoes whose front portions need to come into contact with a ground surface, which can prevent a shoe from being damaged when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on and removed from the shoe, and which can facilitate the wearing and removing of the cover for protecting a shoe on and from a shoe.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cover for protecting a shoe, which can be applied to various types of sports shoes whose front portions need to come into contact with a ground surface, which can prevent a shoe from being damaged when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on and removed from the shoe, and which can facilitate the wearing and removing of the cover for protecting a shoe on and from a shoe.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for protecting a shoe including: a semi-dome shaped cover portion configured such that an internal space is formed and also a rear end portion thereof is open so that the cover portion is worn on the toe of the front portion of a shoe and the upper portion of the shoe; a reinforcing portion internally formed along the open upper end portion of the cover portion; a first separation-prevention portion configured such that the edge of the sole of the shoe is fitted thereon so that the shoe is prevented from being separated from the cover portion, and formed along the lower end portion of the cover portion to have a predetermined internal width; first flexible portions connected to both sides of the rear end portion of the first separation-prevention portion, and formed such that the first flexible portions form a circular or elliptical shape along with the first separation-prevention portion; a bottom portion configured to include bars and holes that connect the first separation-prevention portion and the first flexible portions; a connection portion connected to the rear end portions of the first flexible portions, and formed to have a predetermined length and area; second flexible portions connected to both sides of the rear end of the connection portion; a heel-holding portion connected to both sides of the second flexible portions so that the second flexible portions are closed; a second separation-prevention portion connected to both ends of the heel-holding portion, and configured to surround the outer surface of the heel of the shoe; grip portions configured to include two holes between the heel-holding portion and the second separation-prevention portion; and third separation-prevention portions configured such that first ends thereof are connected to both sides of the second separation-prevention portion and are bent upward and second ends thereof are connected to the open upper end portion of the cover portion at a predetermined interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the bottom portion of a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated from a shoe;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of a bottom portion after a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the state of a heel after a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a side state after a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a conventional cover for protecting a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment includes: a semi-dome shaped cover portion 110 configured such that an internal space is formed and also a rear end portion thereof is open so that the cover portion 110 is worn on the toe of the front portion of a shoe, such as a baseball shoe, and the upper portion of the shoe; a reinforcing portion 111 internally formed along the open upper end portion of the cover portion 110, a first separation-prevention portion 112 configured such that the edge of the sole of the shoe is fitted thereon so that the shoe is prevented from being separated from the cover portion 110, and formed along the lower end portion of the cover portion 110 to have a predetermined internal width; first flexible portions 120 and 121 connected to both sides of the rear end portion of the first separation-prevention portion 112, and formed such that the first flexible portions 120 and 121 form a circular or elliptical shape along with the first separation-prevention portion 112; a bottom portion 130 configured to include bars 131 and holes 132 that connect the first separation-prevention portion 112 and the first flexible portions 120 and 121; a connection portion 140 connected to the rear end portions of the first flexible portions 120 and 121, and formed to have a predetermined length and area; second flexible portions 150 and 151 configured to have two bars that are connected to both sides of the rear end of the connection portion 140 and that have a predetermined length; a heel-holding portion 160 connected to both sides of the second flexible portions 150 and 151 so that the second flexible portions 150 and 151 are closed, and configured such that a hollow portion 152 is formed between the second flexible portions 150 and 151; a second separation-prevention portion 161 connected to both ends of the heel-holding portion 160, and, configured to surround the outer surface of the heel of the shoe; grip portions 170 and 171 configured to include two holes between the heel-holding portion 160 and the second separation-prevention portion 161; and third separation-prevention portions 180 and 181 configured to include two bars whose first ends have bent portions 182 and 183 connected to both sides of the second separation-prevention portion 161, respectively, and bent upward and whose second ends are connected to the open upper end portion of the cover portion 110 at a predetermined interval.

All the components of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe are integrated with each other, and are made of material having flexibility, such as, natural rubber or artificial rubber. Furthermore, all components, expect for the cover portion 110 and the third separation-prevention portions 180 and 181, are formed to be flush with a ground surface.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the bottom portion 130 of a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom portion 130 of the cover for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment includes: a semi-circularly shaped first separation-prevention portion 112 configured to cover the edge of the sole of a shoe; first flexible portions 120 and 121 connected to both ends of the first separation-prevention portion 112, and configured to form a circular or elliptical shape along with the first separation-prevention portion 112; a connection portion 140 connected to the rear end portions of the first flexible portions 120 and 121, and formed to have a predetermined width, and length; a central support bar 131 a connected from the connection portion 140 to the front end portion of the first separation-prevention portion 112; a plurality of branch support bars 131 b, 131 c and 131 d connected from the central support bar 131 a to the first separation-prevention portion 112 or to the first flexible portion 120 or 121 in oblique directions; and a plurality of holes 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d and 132 e formed among the branch support bars 131 b, 131 c and 131 d.

The overall shape of the bottom portion 130, the connection portion 140, the second flexible portions 150 and 151, the heel-holding portion 160 and the second separation prevention portion 161 is preferably a gourd shape that is formed around the connection portion 140.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover 100 for protecting a shoe 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated from a shoe. As shown in FIG. 3, the shoe 200, such as a baseball shoe, and the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment are separated from each other.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment is worn on the shoe 200, such as a baseball shoe, so that the front portion of the shoe, including the toe of the shoe, is covered with the cover 100 for protecting a shoe.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of a bottom portion after a cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the edge of the bottom portion of the sole of the shoe 200, such as a baseball shoe, is fitted on the first separation-prevention portion 112 of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment, and a plurality of studs mounted or formed on the bottom 210 of the shoe 200 is inserted into a plurality of holes formed in the bottom portion 130 of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment. In greater detail, for example, the first stud 230 a of the shoe 200 is inserted into the first hole 132 a of a bottom portion 130, the second stud 230 b thereof is inserted into the second hole 132 b of the bottom portion 130, the third stud 230 c thereof is inserted into the third hole 132 c of the bottom portion 130, the fourth stud 230 d thereof is inserted into the fourth hole 132 d of the bottom portion 130, and the fifth stud 230 e thereof is inserted into the fifth hole 132 e of the bottom portion 130. In order to insert the fourth and fifth studs 230 d and 230 e into the fourth and fifth holes 132 d and 132 e of the bottom portion 130, the first and second studs 230 d and 230 e are allowed to be inserted by putting the first flexible portion 120 and the first flexible portion 121 apart toward the sides in the state in which the heel-holding portion 160 and third separation-prevention portion 161 has been caught on and fastened by the heel of the shoe 200. By inserting the first to fifth studs of the shoe 200 into the first to fifth holes formed in the bottom portion 130 of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment as described above, the cover 100 for protecting may be more reliably prevented from being separated from the shoe 200 in the state in which the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment has been worn on the shoe 200.

A connection portion 140 may be configured to be located on the depressed portion 220 of the shoe 200 in the state in which the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment has been worn on the shoe 200.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cover 100 for protecting a shoe 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe. As shown in FIG. 6, in order to wear the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment on the shoe 100, in the state in which the cover portion 110 and first separation-prevention portion 112 of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe have been located on the front portion of the shoe 200, including the toe of the shoe 200, and the edge of the sole of the shoe 200, the bottom portion 240 of the heel of the shoe 200 is allowed to be located in the hollow portion 152 by performing expansion using grip portions 170 and 171 composed of two holes between the heel-holding portion 160 and the second separation-prevention portion 161, and then the heel holding portion 160 and the second separation-prevention portion 161 are allowed to be caught on the heel 250 of the shoe 200.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the state of a heel after a cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the heel-holding portion 160 and second separation-prevention portion 161 of the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment are located on the heel 250 of the shoe 200, and third separation-prevention portions 180 and 181 are brought into contact with both sides of the shoe 200 in a direction from the heel 250 of the shoe 200 to the front portion of the shoe 200, with the result that the cover 100 for protecting a shoe is prevented from being separated from the shoe 200 and is securely fastened to the shoe 200.

Furthermore, when the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment is removed from the shoe 200, the cover 100 for protecting a shoe according to the present embodiment may be easily removed from the shoe 200 by pulling the third separation-prevention portion 161 in the direction below the heel 250 of the shoe 200 while holding the third separation-prevention portion 161.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a side state after a cover for protecting a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention has been worn on a shoe.

The above described embodiments of the present invention are merely some of various embodiments of the present invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments. It will be apparent that the studs of a shoe, the numbers of studs and holes of the cover for protecting a shoe, the shapes of the heel-holding portion and the second separation-prevention portion, and the installation location and shape of the third separation-prevention portion may be configured in various manners.

The cover for protecting a shoe according to the present invention is applied to various types of sports shoes whose front portions must come into contact with a ground surface, and achieves the advantage of preventing the toes of the shoes from being damaged, the advantage of preventing the shoes from being damaged when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on and removed from the shoes, and the advantage of facilitating the wearing and removing of the cover for protecting a shoe on and from a shoe.

Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover for protecting a shoe, comprising: a semi-dome shaped cover portion configured such that an internal space is formed and also a rear end portion thereof is open so that the cover portion is worn on a toe of a front portion of a shoe and an upper portion of the shoe; a first separation-prevention portion configured such that an edge of a sole of the shoe is fitted thereon, and formed along a lower end portion of the cover portion to have a predetermined internal width; first flexible portions connected to both sides of a rear end portion of the first separation-prevention portion, and formed such that the first flexible portions form a circular or elliptical shape along with the first separation-prevention portion; a bottom portion configured to include pluralities of bars and holes that connect the first separation-prevention portion and the first flexible portions; a connection portion connected to rear end portions of the first flexible portions, and formed to have a predetermined length and area; second flexible portions connected to both sides of a rear end of the connection portion, and formed to have a predetermined length; a heel-holding portion connected to both sides of the second flexible portions so that the second flexible portions are closed, and configured such that a hollow portion is formed between the second flexible portions; a second separation-prevention portion connected to both ends of the heel-holding portion, and configured to surround an outer surface of a heel of the shoe; grip portions configured to include two holes between the heel-holding portion and the second separation-prevention portion; and third separation-prevention portions configured such that first ends thereof are connected to both sides of the second separation-prevention portion, respectively, and second ends thereof are connected to an open upper end portion of the cover portion at a predetermined interval.
 2. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion comprises a reinforcing portion internally formed along an open upper end portion of the cover portion.
 3. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein the first flexible portions comprise two bars, and the second flexible portions comprise two bars.
 4. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein the grip portions comprise two holes.
 5. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein first ends of the third separation-prevention portions comprise bent portions that are bent upward.
 6. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein the first separation-prevention portion, the first flexible portions, the bottom portion, the second flexible portions, the heel-holding portion, and the second separation-prevention portion are configured to be flush with a ground surface.
 7. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cover for protecting a shoe is made of material having flexibility in an integrated manner.
 8. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on the shoe, the heel-holding portion and the second separation-prevention portion are located at predetermined locations of the heel of the shoe.
 9. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on the shoe, the third separation-prevention portions are located on both sides of the shoe.
 10. The cover for protecting a shoe according to claim 1, wherein when the cover for protecting a shoe is worn on the shoe, a plurality of studs mounted or formed on a bottom of the shoe are inserted into a plurality of holes formed in the bottom portion. 